Dayton’s Mad River wellfield is on a grassy island in the middle of one of the city’s three major rivers. Phil Van Atta, head of Dayton’s water treatment operation, says the wellfield, where Dayton pumps up groundwater from the Great Miami Buried Valley Aquifer, is one of his favorite places. The shallow sand and gravel aquifer in some places lies just feet below the ground, and its 1.5 trillion gallons of freshwater is constantly recharging from the rivers and rainfall.

What will be known as Mad River Run in Dayton is expected to draw kayaks and canoes. It will feature a 2,100-foot whitewater stretch that includes a drop, with more drops planned when funds become available.

The Dayton Daily News reports that Five Rivers MetroParks says the project includes conservation measures, with bank stabilization work.

The first phase of construction is funded in part by a $100,000 Dayton Rotary Club donation.

Environmental groups are working to designate 22 miles of the Mad River in Clark County as recreational space. The process is being delayed due to controversy as to what that label will mean for residents.

It's a win-win situation for Clark County according to Aaron Rourke, he's with the group Rivers Unlimited, that's working with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to designate the area as recreation.

That means the state agency will manage that portion of the river which Rourke says is a good thing because it will improve the landscape.